Locking assemblies for computing devices

ABSTRACT

A locking assembly may be to locate a display member of a computing device relative to a base member of the computing device. A spring may be to attach to the display member. A first magnetic member may be in contact with to the spring. A wheel may be to attach to the display member to roll on the base member. A lock may be to engage the spring to lock the wheel when the first magnetic member is in proximity to a second magnetic member of the base member such that a magnetic force is exerted therebetween.

PRIORITY APPLICATION INFORMATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/469,092, filed on Mar. 24, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S.National Entry application Ser. No. 15/024,850, filed on Mar. 24, 2016,which claims priority to International Application No.PCT/US2013/070442, filed on Nov. 15, 2013. The contents of which areincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Various mobile computing devices are available such as laptops andtablets. A laptop may include a display and a physical input deviceseparate from the display. A tablet computer may be a one-piece mobiledevice having a touchscreen that may be navigated by a fingertip orstylus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some examples are described with respect to the following figures:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a locking assembly according to someexamples;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a computing device according to someexamples;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a computing device in a closed modeaccording to some examples;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a computing device in a laptop modeaccording to some examples;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a computing device in a rear position ofa tablet mode according to some examples;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a computing device in a front positionof a tablet mode according to some examples; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a computing device in a compressedposition of a tablet mode according to some examples.

FIGS. 8-9 are perspective views of a locking assembly respectively in anunlocked position and a locked position according to some examples;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the computing device having the lockingassembly according to some examples.

FIG. 11 is a close-up perspective view of the computing device havingthe locking assembly according to some examples;

FIGS. 12-13 are cross-sectional side views of the computing devicehaving the locking assembly respectively at first and secondpredetermined locking points according to some examples;

FIGS. 14-15 are perspective views of a locking assembly respectively inan unlocked position and a locked position according to some examples;and

FIGS. 16-17 are perspective views of a locking assembly respectively inan unlocked position and a locked position according to some examples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following terminology is understood the mean the following whenrecited by the specification or the claims. The singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” mean “one or more.” The term “attached” includes bothdirect forms of attachment and indirect forms of attachment such aswhere one or more intervening elements may be included between the partsbeing attached. The terms “including” and “having” are intended to havethe same inclusive meaning as the term “comprising.”

Some existing computing devices having multiple modes of operation maynot, for example, be effectively transitioned between and/or maintainedwithin modes. Additionally, such computing devices may, for example, bedamaged due to contact between a base member and a display member of thecomputing device. Accordingly, the present disclosure concerns lockingassemblies of computing devices.

In some examples, the computing devices of the present disclosure can betransitioned between a “laptop mode” to operate as a laptop, a “tabletmode” to operate as a tablet, and a “closed mode” in which the computingdevice is closed, for example when the display screen and the keyboardinwardly face each other. The term “computing device” encompasses anydevice with computing capability. The term “laptop” encompasses any of anumber of different computing devices having a display screen and aseparate input device such as a keyboard. The term “tablet” encompassesany of a number of different computing devices having a display screenthat operates as a touchscreen that can be navigated by an inputstimulus such as a fingertip or stylus.

The computing device may include a display member attached to a basemember via a hinge assembly having two hinges. The display member maypivot about two independent pivotal axes of rotation relative to thebase member using the two hinges. The two pivotal axes may operateindependently of each other. The computing device may be transitionedbetween its modes using the two pivotal axes.

In the closed mode, the display member may be stacked in parallel on thebase member such that a display screen of the display member and akeyboard of the base member are facing inwardly toward each other. Inthe laptop mode, the display member may be oriented at an angle, forexample an obtuse angle, relative to the base member to allow the userto view a display screen of the display member. A user may transitionthe computing device between the closed mode and the laptop mode byrotating the display member about the first pivotal axis of rotation. Inthe tablet mode, the display member may be oriented such that thedisplay screen is facing outwardly away from the base member, and suchthat the keyboard of the base member is facing inwardly toward the backside of the display member. The display screen may be used as atouchscreen that may be navigated by a fingertip or stylus. The user maytransition the computing device between the laptop mode and the tabletmode by rotating the display member about the second pivotal axis ofrotation.

In some examples, inclusion of a locking assembly in the computingdevice may allow a user to smoothly transition the computing devicebetween an infinite number of positions in the tablet mode, while alsoallowing the user to lock the computing device in one or more positionsof the tablet mode. Moreover, the locking assembly may reduce and/oreliminate scuffing between the display member and the base member,because the display member may not drag along the base member. Examplesof locking assemblies and computing devices having locking assembliesare described as follows.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a locking assembly 10 according to someexamples. The locking assembly 10 may be to locate a display member of acomputing device relative to a base member of the computing device. Aspring 12 may be to attach to the display member. A first magneticmember 14 may be in contact with to the spring 12. A wheel 16 may be toattach to the display member to roll on the base member. A lock 18 maybe to engage the spring 12 to lock the wheel 16 when the first magneticmember 14 is in proximity to a second magnetic member of the base membersuch that a magnetic force is exerted therebetween.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a computing device 20 according to someexamples. The computing device may include a base member 22, and adisplay member 24 rotatably attached to the base member 22. A spring 26may be attached to the display member 24. A first magnetic member 28 maybe in contact with the spring 26. A second magnetic member 30 may beattached to the base member 22. A wheel 32 may be attached to thedisplay member 24 to roll on the base member 22. A lock 34 may be toengage the spring 26 to lock the wheel 32 to locate the display member24 relative to the base member 22 when the first and second magneticmembers 28 and 30 are in proximity such that a magnetic force is exertedtherebetween.

A “spring” is any device having suitable dimensions and/or made ofsuitable materials such that it may have a biased position when no forceis applied to the spring and an extended position when a force isapplied to the spring. A “magnetic member” is any object made of asuitable material such that it experiences a force in the presence of amagnetic field, and/or itself generates a magnetic field. A “lock” isany device to lock two elements together, for example a wheel and aspring.

FIG. 3-7 respectively are perspective views of a computing device 100 ina closed mode, laptop mode, rear position of a tablet mode, frontposition of the tablet mode, and compressed position of the tablet modeaccording to some examples.

The computing device 100 may include a base member 102 and a displaymember 104. The base member 102 may have a first side 106 and a secondside 108. The base member 102 may include input devices such as akeyboard 107 and a touchpad 109 housed on the first side 106. In someexamples, the base member 102 may be a capacitive keyboard. The displaymember 104 may have a first side 110 and a second side 112. The displaymember 104 may include a display screen 114 housed on the first side110. The display screen 114 may be liquid-crystal display (LCD) and/ormay be touch-enabled to allow navigation by a fingertip or stylus. Insome examples, the display screen 114 may not be touch-enabled. Thedisplay member 104 may also include a camera, speakers, and/or antennas,for example. One or both of the base member 102 and the display member104 may house a processor and a memory. The computing device 100 mayinclude a hinge assembly 116. The hinge assembly 116 may include a hinge122, a rigid plate 124, and hinges 126. A “hinge” allows two elementsattached to the hinge to be rotated relative to each other about apivotal axis of rotation.

The computing device 100 may be transitioned between the closed mode andthe laptop mode by rotating the display member 104 relative to the basemember 102 about a pivotal axis of rotation 132 using the hinges 126.Additionally, the computing device 100 may be transitioned between thelaptop mode and the tablet mode by rotating the display member 104relative to the base member 102 about a pivotal axis of rotation 129using the hinge 122. Additionally, the transition between the laptopmode and the tablet mode may include rotating the display member 104relative to the base member 102 about the pivotal axis of rotation 132using the hinges 126. In some examples, the transition between thelaptop mode and the tablet mode may be made by rotating the displaymember 104 relative to the base member 102 simultaneously about thepivotal axes 129 and 132 using the hinges 122 and 126. The pivotal axes129 and 132 may be longitudinal axes. Example pivotal axes 129 and 132are shown in FIG. 5.

In the closed mode, the display member 104 may be stacked in parallel onthe base member 102 such that the display screen 114 and the keyboard107 may be facing inwardly toward each other. In the laptop mode, thedisplay member 104 may be oriented at an angle relative to the basemember 102 to allow the user to view a display screen 114. In the tabletmode, the display member 104 may be oriented such that the displayscreen 114 is facing outwardly away from the base member 102, and suchthat the keyboard 107 is facing inwardly toward the display member 104.

The hinge 122 may be a flexible hinge or any other suitable hinge. Forexample, the hinge 122 may be attached to the display member 104 and tothe rigid plate 124 by an adhesive such as an epoxy resin. The hinge 122may be a “flexible sheet”, which is a flexible element having athickness that is small relative to its length and width. In someexamples, the hinge 122 may be made of a flexible polymer, for examplenylon or polypropylene, or of a flexible metal, such as spring steel orstainless steel, or other flexible materials, or combinations thereof.An element that is “flexible” has suitable dimensions and/or is made ofsuitable materials such that the element is capable of bending withoutbreaking.

The one or more hinges 126 may be friction hinges. For example, the oneor more friction hinges 126 may rotatably attach the base member 102about the pivotal axis of rotation 132 to the remainder of the elementsof the hinge assembly 116. A “friction hinge” is a hinge having africtional interference fit between its rotating elements. For example,each friction hinge 126 may include an annular gudgeon member 128 and acylindrical pintle member 130 longitudinally inserted through thegudgeon member 128 along the pivotal axis 132. The pintle member 130,shown in FIG. 3, may frictionally engage the inner surface of thegudgeon member 128 by way of an interference fit wherein the innersurface may exert an inward radial force on the pintle member 130, whichmay exert a reciprocal outward force on the inner surface. Thefrictional engagement of these cylindrical mating surfaces may allow theangular position between the hinge assembly 116 and the base member 102to be maintained or held in place at any desired angle, wherein thepermitted range of angles may be between a minimum angle of zero degreesand a maximum angle of 180 degrees, for example. In some examples, thehinges 126 may be made of a metal such as spring steel or stainlesssteel, or other materials, or combinations thereof.

The rigid plate 124 may have suitable dimensions and be made of suitablematerials to provide stiffening and/or structural reinforcement to thehinge assembly 116, and/or to aid in rotation of the display member 104relative to the base member 102. Inclusion of the rigid plate 124 maythus increase the overall thickness of the hinge assembly 116. However,in some examples, the hinge 122 may extend to the hinges 126, such thatthere may be no rigid plate 124. An element that is “rigid” has suitabledimensions and/or is made of suitable materials such that it cannot bebent without breaking.

The computing device 100 may include one or more fasteners to secure thehinge assembly 116 in the display member 104 when the computing device100 is in the closed mode or the laptop mode. For example, the computingdevice 100 may include one or more of magnetic fasteners, mechanicalfasteners, and other types of fasteners.

In some examples, each magnetic fastener may include a magnetic member146 in the rigid plate 124 and a magnetic member 148 in the displaymember 104, as shown in FIG. 4. When the magnetic members 146 and 148are in proximity, for example when the computing device 100 is in theclosed mode or the laptop mode, the magnets 146 and 148 may besufficiently attracted such that the hinge assembly 116 is held in placein the display member 104. The hinge assembly 116 and display member 104may be pulled away from each other to transition the computing device100 to the tablet mode, such that the magnetic members 146 and 148 areno longer in proximity and thus are no longer sufficiently attracted tohold the hinge assembly 116 in the display member 104. As shown in FIG.4, a magnetic fastener may be included in each side of the displaymember 104. In some examples, the magnetic members 148 may be includedin another part of the hinge assembly 116, for example the hinge 122. Insome examples, one of both of the magnetic members 146 and 148 may be apermanent magnet such as a ferromagnet. In some examples, one or both ofthe magnetic members 146 and 148 may be an antiferromagnet, aferrimagnet, a paramagnet, a diamagnet, an electromagnet magnetized bycurrent provided by the computing device 100, or other magnetic member.In some examples, one of the magnetic members 146 or 148 may be apermanent magnet, and the other may be any suitable metallic element.

In some examples, each mechanical fastener may include a latch member152 on the display member 104 and a receiving member 154 on any part ofthe hinge assembly 116. The hinge assembly 116 may be moved into thedisplay member 104, and the latch member 152 may be inserted into thereceiving member 154 to lock the hinge assembly 116 into the displaymember 104, as shown in FIG. 4. In some examples, the latch member 152may instead be on the hinge assembly 116 and the receiving member 154may instead be on the display member 104.

Rotation of the display member 104 about the pivotal axis of rotation129 may be accomplished by bending the hinge 122 from the unbentconfiguration of FIG. 4 into any of the bent configurations shown inFIGS. 5-7. For example, the hinge 122 may bend away from the displaymember 104. In some examples, the hinge 122 may have a maximumcurvature, such as the U-shaped curve in the compressed position of FIG.7. In some examples, the hinge 122 may be biased toward the unbentconfiguration as shown in FIGS. 3-4. In these examples, the bentconfigurations of the tablet mode in FIGS. 5-7 may be maintained by theweight of the display member 104 and/or by locking assemblies, as willbe discussed in more detail. In other examples, the hinge 122 may bebiased toward any one of the bent configurations of FIGS. 5-7. In theseexamples, the unbent configurations of FIGS. 3-4 may be maintained bythe fasteners discussed earlier. However, the fasteners may be includedto add stability regardless of the biasing choice of the hinge 122.

In examples in which the computing device 100 does not have a closedmode, the hinges 126 may not rotate sufficiently to transition thecomputing device 100 from the laptop mode to the closed mode. Thus, forexample, the computing device 100 may instead be stowed away in thetablet mode.

The display member 104 may contact any position of the base member 102,along a continuum between the laptop mode of FIG. 4, the rear positionof the tablet mode of FIG. 5, and the front position of the tablet modeof FIG. 6, and the compressed position of FIG. 7. Various lockingassemblies 156 may be included in the base member 102 and/or the displaymember 104 to locate the display member 104 relative to the base member102 in one or more positions. The locking assemblies 156 each may have aspring, magnetic member, lock, wheel, and shaft, as will be discussed inmore detail in FIGS. 8-17. Thus, additional stability may be provided tothe display member 104, such that if a user pushes against the displayscreen 114, the display member 104 may not move relative to the basemember 102 unless a sufficient threshold amount of force is applied tothe base member 102.

FIGS. 8-9 are perspective views of a locking assembly 156 respectivelyin an unlocked position and a locked position, according to someexamples. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the computing device 100having the locking assembly 156 according to some examples. FIG. 11 is aclose-up perspective view of the computing device 100 having the lockingassembly 156 according to some examples. FIGS. 12-13 are cross-sectionalside views of the computing device 100 having the locking assembly 156respectively at first and second predetermined locking points accordingto some examples.

The locking assembly 156 may include a spring 158, magnetic member 160,a wheel 162, a lock 164, and a shaft 166. The locking assembly 156 maybe included at a bottom portion 157 of the display member 104.Additionally, the computing device 100 may include magnetic members 168.

The spring 158 may have suitable dimensions and/or made of suitablematerials such that it may have a biased position when no force isapplied to the spring 158, such as in FIG. 8, and an extended positionwhen a force is applied to the spring, such as in FIG. 9. In someexamples, the spring 158 may be made of steel, such as spring steel orstainless steel, or some other metal, or another suitable material, or acombination thereof. In some examples, the spring 158 may be a“cantilevered spring”, which is a spring that is attached at one end butnot the other. For example, the spring 158 may be attached at its firstend 169 to the display member 104, and may have a second end 170 whichmay be a free end not attached to any other elements. In some examples,the attachment at the first end 169 may be rigid. Additionally oralternatively, the spring 158 and display member 104 may be attached viaa hinge, such as a friction hinge, to aid in the movement of the spring158 between the biased position and the extended position. As shown inFIGS. 8-13, the spring 158 may be a solid wire, such as a solidcylindrical wire, and may have a bend 172 in its middle separating araised section 174 and a lower section 176. However, in other examples,the spring 158 may be a hollow wire, such as a hollow cylindrical wire.In other examples, the spring 158 may be a sheet, which has a thicknessthat is small relative to its length and width. In other examples, thespring 158 may be a coil. However, other types of springs may be used,such as springs attached to the display member 104 on both of its ends,springs having other shapes, and/or springs made of other materials. InFIG. 9, the extended position is represented by the spring 158 beingpulled downward in response to a magnetic force experienced by themagnetic member 160, as will be discussed.

The magnetic member 160 may be in contact with the spring 158. Forexample, the magnetic member 160 is shown in FIGS. 8-13 as attachedabove the spring 158 and at the longitudinal middle of the spring 158 onthe lower section 176. Placement on the lower section 176 rather thanthe raised section 174 allows for the magnetic member 160 to be closerto the magnetic member 168 to increase the magnetic force experiencedtherebetween. In some examples, the magnetic member 160 may be attachedbelow or to the side of the spring 158, and/or may be attached at anylongitudinal point along the spring 158. In other examples, the magneticmember 160 may be attached to the base member 102 via an extensionspring, such that it hangs above and/or makes contact with the spring158 from above. In some examples, the magnetic member 160 may be apermanent magnet such as a ferromagnet. In some examples, the magneticmember 160 may be an antiferromagnet, a ferrimagnet, a paramagnet, adiamagnet, an electromagnet magnetized by current provided by thecomputing device 100, or other magnetic member. The magnetic member 160may be made of any suitable material, for example steel such asstainless steel or spring steel, iron, nickel, cobalt, gadolinium,brass, zinc, copper, bronze, aluminum, silver, gold, tungsten,magnesium, or other magnetic material, or a combination thereof. Themagnetic member 160 may have any suitable shape, for example apolyhedron such as a cuboid as in FIGS. 8-13, a cylinder, or any othershape.

The magnetic members 168 may be attached to the base member 102. Forexample, the magnetic members 168 may be attached inside the base member102 as in FIGS. 10-13. In other examples, the magnetic members 168 maybe attached on the surface of the first side 106 of the base member 102.The magnetic members 168 may be any type of magnets, may be made of anymaterial, and may have any of the shapes discussed above relative to themagnetic member 160. In some examples, one or more magnetic members 168may be located at each of the predetermined locking point 178 and 180.For example, magnetic members 168 may respectively be located at theleft and right sides of the base member 102 at each of the predeterminedlocking points 178 and 180. In FIGS. 10-13, two predetermined lockingpoints 178 and 180 are shown corresponding to the front and rearpositions of the tablet mode. However in other examples, there may anyadditional number of predetermined locking points each having magneticmembers 168.

The wheel 162 may be attached to the bottom portion 157 display member104 to roll on the base member 102 during transitioning of the displaymember 104 along a continuum between an infinite number of positions inthe tablet mode. The wheel 162 may be attached to the display member 104via the shaft 166 as in FIGS. 8-13. However, the wheel 162 may beattached to the display member 104 in any other suitable way. Asdiscussed earlier, the hinge assembly 116 may be used to transition thecomputing device 100 along a continuum between an infinite number ofpositions in the tablet mode. In some examples, the wheel 162 may befree to rotate on the shaft 166 or other element, but some resistancemay be provided between the wheel 162 and shaft 166 to maintain thedisplay member 104 at any of the infinite positions of the tablet mode,instead of only at the predetermined locking points 178 and 180. Forexample, a frictional interference fit may be provided by frictionallyengaging the annular inner surface of the wheel 162 with the outersurface of the shaft 166, such that they exert reciprocal forces on eachother. Thus, in some examples, the display member 104 may move relativeto the base member 102 when a threshold amount of force is applied butmay not move when less than the threshold amount of force is applied.

The wheel 162 may be made of any suitable material, for example apolymer, plastic, rubber, polyurethane, or a combination thereof. Thematerial may be a soft material such that (1) the wheel 162 may rollsmoothly on the display member 104, (2) scuffing between the wheel 162and the base member 102 is minimized, and (3) the wheel 162 may applysome friction to the display member 104 prevent the wheel 162 fromskidding. Additionally, in some examples, because the wheel 162 maycontact the base member 102 but the display member 104 may not contactthe base member 102, scuffing between the base member 102 and thedisplay member 104 may be minimized.

The lock 164 may be attached, for example rigidly attached, to the sideof the wheel facing the spring 158. The lock 164 may, for example, be agear. As shown in FIGS. 8-9, the gear may be an external gear such thatit has a sinusoidal outer surface having a series of alternating cogs182, e.g. teeth, and recesses 184 around its circumference. As shown inFIGS. 8-9, the cogs 182 and recesses 184 may have rounded surfaces, butother surface shapes may be used as well. The shaft 166, in addition tobeing inserted through the wheel 162, may similarly be inserted throughan annular inner surface of the lock 164 with an interference fit. Inother examples, any suitable device other than gear may be used as thelock 164.

The lock 164 may be to lock the wheel 162 to locate the display member104 relative to the base member 102. If the wheel 162 is rolled alongthe base member 102, then the bottom portion 157 and the magnetic member160 may eventually be adjacent to one or more magnetic members 168 atone of the predetermined locking points 178 or 180. Because the magneticmembers 160 and 168 may to be in proximity, a magnetic force may exertedbetween the magnetic members 160 and 168. Any combinations of materialsand shapes of the magnetic members 160 and 168 may be selected such thata magnetic force is exerted between the magnetic members 160 and 168when they are in proximity. For example, the magnetic member 160 may beattracted to the magnetic member 168. The magnetic member 168 may be apermanent magnet or electromagnet having a magnetization with either Nor S facing upwards toward the magnetic member 160, and the magneticmember 160 may be any metal that experiences attraction with thepermanent magnet or electromagnet. FIGS. 12-13 show the N pole facingupwards. In other examples, the magnetic member 160 may be a permanentmagnet or electromagnet having a magnetization with either N or S facingdownwards toward a magnetic member 168, and the magnetic member 168 maybe any metal that experiences attraction with the permanent magnet orelectromagnet. In other examples, the magnetic members 160 and 168 mayeach be permanent magnets or electromagnets with and N pole of onefacing an S pole of the other to cause attraction. Any other suitablecombination of types and orientations of the magnetic members 160 and168 may be used.

As discussed earlier, the magnetic member 160 may contact the spring 158from above, either by attachment or by being attached to the base member102 by an extension spring such that it hangs above and/or makes contactwith the spring 158 from above. The magnetic force, such as theattractive force, may cause the magnetic member 160 to move towards thespring 158 and the magnetic member 168, causing it to press against thespring 158 to transition the spring 158 from the biased position of FIG.8 to the extended position of FIG. 9 to engage the wheel 162. Forexample, the second end 170 of the spring 158 may fall into one of therecesses 184. When the spring 158 is lodged in the recess 184, the wheel162, which is attached to the lock 164, may not be able to roll. Thus,the display member 104 may be maintained in place relative to the basemember 102 such that a user may operate the computing device 100 in thetablet mode.

As discussed earlier, in some examples, resistance may be providedbetween the wheel 162 and shaft 166 to maintain the display member 104at any of the infinite positions of the tablet mode, such that athreshold amount of force may need to be applied to move the displaymember 104 relative to the base member 102. The locking implemented bythe lock 164 my provide an additional amount of resistance to movement,such that a higher amount of force may be needed to move the displaymember 104 relative to the base member 102 when the display member 104is located in one of the predetermined locking points 178 or 180. Toovercome the resistance provided by the lock 164, the user may apply aforce to the display member 104 such that the spring 158 may roll on therounded surface of the recess 184 such that the spring 158 is removedfrom the recess 184. As the user continues to apply sufficient force tothe display member 104, the wheel 162 may roll until the display member104 is no longer located at one of the predetermined locking points 178or 180. Thus, the magnetic member 160 may no longer experience magneticattraction, and the spring 158 may return to the biased position of FIG.8, allowing the wheel 162 to roll more easily between the predeterminedlocking points 178 or 180.

FIGS. 10-12 show the locking assembly 156 locked at predeterminedlocking point 178 in the rear position of the tablet mode. As shown, themagnetic member 160's bottom surface, which may be an S or N pole if themagnetic member 160 is magnetized, is parallel to the top surface of themagnetic member 168. As the computing device 100 is transitioned to belocked at the predetermined locking point 180 in the front position ofthe tablet mode as shown in FIG. 13, the bottom surface of magneticmember 160 may no longer be parallel with the top surface of themagnetic member 168. Instead, the magnetic member 160 may be tilted atan angle due to the change in angle of the display member 104. However,even if the magnetic member 160 is magnetized such that its tiltedbottom surface has an S or N pole, the magnetic members 160 and 168 maystill experience a sufficient magnetic force e.g. an attractive forcefor locking at the predetermined locking point 180 in the frontposition. In some examples, in which the magnetic member 168 ismagnetized but the magnetic member 160 is not initially magnetized e.g.is not a ferromagnet, then the poles in the magnetic member 160 may begenerated at an angle with respect to the surfaces of the magneticmember 160 when in proximity to the magnetic member 168.

FIGS. 14-15 are perspective views of a locking assembly 256 respectivelyin an unlocked position and a locked position, according to someexamples. The locking assembly 256 may include a spring 258 having firstand second ends 269 and 270, a magnetic member 260, a wheel 262, a lock264 having cogs 282 and recesses 284, and a shaft 266 similar to thoseof the locking assembly 156. However, the locking assembly 256 may use arepulsive magnetic force rather than an attractive magnetic force. Forexample, the magnetic members 160 and 368 may each be permanent magnetsor electromagnets with and N pole of one facing an N pole of the other,or an S pole of one facing an S pole of another, to cause repulsion. Thespring 258 may be a solid wire, such as a solid cylindrical wire, andmay extend longitudinally without a bend. The magnetic member 260 may bein contact with the spring 258. For example, the magnetic member 260 isshown in FIGS. 14-15 as attached above the spring 258 and at thelongitudinal middle of the spring 258.

When the magnetic members 260 and 168 are in proximity when the displaymember 104 is transitioned to one of the predetermined locking points178 or 180, the magnetic member 260 may be repelled from the magneticmember 168. The repulsive force may cause the magnetic member 260 tomove away from the magnetic member 168, causing it to press against thespring 258 to transition the spring 258 from the biased position of FIG.14 to the extended position of FIG. 15 to engage the wheel 262. Forexample, the second end 270 of the spring 258 may fall into one of therecesses 284. When the spring 258 is lodged in the recess 284, the wheel262, which is attached to the lock 264, may not be able to roll. Thus,the display member 104 may be maintained in place relative to the basemember 102 such that a user may operate the computing device 100 in thetablet mode.

FIGS. 16-17 are perspective views of a locking assembly 356 respectivelyin an unlocked position and a locked position, according to someexamples. The locking assembly 356 may include a spring 358 having firstand second ends 369 and 370, magnetic member 360, a wheel 362, a lock364, and a shaft 366 similar to those of the locking assembly 156.However, the locking assembly 356 may instead be an internal gear suchthat it has a sinusoidal inner surface having a series of alternatingcogs 382, e.g. teeth, and recesses 384 around its circumference. Asshown in FIGS. 9-10, the cogs 382 and recesses 384 may have roundedsurfaces, but other surface shapes may be used as well. The shaft 366may be inserted through the wheel 362 with an interference fit, but maynot additionally extend through the internal gear. The spring 358 mayextend longitudinally without a bend.

When the magnetic members 360 and 168 are in proximity when the displaymember 104 is transitioned to one of the predetermined locking points178 or 180, the magnetic member 360 may be attracted to the magneticmember 168. The attractive magnetic force may cause the magnetic member360 to move towards the spring 358 and the magnetic member 168, causingit to press against the spring 358 to transition the spring 358 from thebiased position of FIG. 16 to the extended position of FIG. 17 to engagethe wheel 362. For example, a second end 370 of the spring 358 may fallinto one of the recesses 384. When the spring 358 is lodged in therecess 384, the wheel 362, which is attached to the lock 364, may not beable to roll. Thus, the display member 104 may be maintained in placerelative to the base member 102 such that a user may operate thecomputing device 100 in the tablet mode. In yet other examples, themagnetic member 360 may engage the internal gear based on a repulsiveforce between the magnetic member 360 and the magnetic member 168 suchthat the spring 358 may engage the wheel 362.

In the foregoing description, numerous details are set forth to providean understanding of the subject disclosed herein. However, examples maybe practiced without some or all of these details. Other examples mayinclude modifications and variations from the details discussed above.It is intended that the appended claims cover such modifications andvariations.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computing device, comprising: a display member;a base member; a hinge to couple the display member of the computingdevice to the base member of the computing device; and a wheel coupledto the display member to facilitate movement of the display member ofthe computing device with respect to the base member of the commutingdevice.
 2. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the wheel ispositioned on a bottom portion of the base member of the computingdevice to roll on the base member.
 3. The computing device of claim 1,wherein: the hinge transitions the computing device into a plurality ofconfigurations of the display member and the base member; and the wheelis to roll on the base member during the transition of the computingdevice.
 4. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the wheel is coupledto the display member of the computer device via a shaft.
 5. Thecomputing device of claim 4, wherein the wheel is to rotate freely aboutthe shaft.
 6. The computing device of claim 4, wherein an outer surfaceof the shaft frictionally engages an annular inner surface of the wheelto exert a reciprocal frictional force on the wheel.
 7. A system,comprising: a computing device, wherein the computing device includes: adisplay member; and a base member; a spring coupled to the displaymember; a wheel coupled to a bottom portion of the display member tofacilitate movement of the display member of the computing device withrespect to the base member of the commuting device; and a lock to engagethe spring, wherein the wheel is to lock in response to engagement ofthe lock with the spring.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the lock iscoupled to a side of the wheel, wherein the lock is to engage when thewheel is proximate to the spring.
 9. The system of claim 7, wherein: thelock includes a gear including cogs and recesses; and the lock iscoupled to the wheel through a shaft inserted through an annular innersurface of the lock and through an annular inner surface of the wheel.10. The system of claim 7, further comprising: a first magnetic membercoupled to the spring; and a second magnetic member coupled to the basemember, wherein when the first magnetic member is proximate to thesecond magnetic member a magnetic force is exerted to cause the springto engage the lock.
 11. The system of claim 7, wherein: the shaft is tofrictionally engage an annular inner surface of the wheel to provide afirst resistance; and the lock is to engage the spring to provide asecond resistance, wherein the second resistance is greater than thefirst resistance.
 12. The system of claim 7, wherein the lock engages ata predetermined locking point.
 13. A locking assembly, comprising: aspring coupled to a display member of a computing device; a firstmagnetic member coupled to the spring; a wheel to couple to the displaymember of the computing device; a second magnetic member coupled to abase member of the computing device; and a lock to engage the springwhen the first magnetic member is proximate to the second magneticmember.
 14. The locking assembly of claim 13, wherein: the wheel is toroll on the base member of the computing device; and the wheel is tolock when the lock engages the spring.
 15. The locking assembly of claim13, wherein the spring is to disengage when the first magnetic member isnot proximate to the second magnetic member.